Top 10 Ski Resorts in Australia

Australia offers an unrivalled skiing experience. You can only ski through snow gum forests in Australia. Despite its modest heights, Aussies are passionate about winter sports.

The country has produced many world-class competitors such as snowboarder Torah Bright, and aerial skier Alisa Cameron, both of whom were awarded the Winter Olympic medals.

It is easy to reach Australian ski resorts. The majority of Australia's ski areas are located in the Snowy Mountains and Victorian Alps, which are less than a day drive from Sydney and Melbourne. The resorts offer downhill skiing and snowboarding as well as tobogganing and tubing. Many also offer cross-country trails and terrain parks.

When is the Aussie Ski Season?

Are you wondering when to go? The Australian ski season typically opens in June and closes in September.

However, bumper snowfalls can extend the season into October. Snowmaking facilities ensure that the slopes remain covered throughout the season. The best time to ski Australia is dependent on the snowfall. However, July and August are the most reliable months.

If you are planning to ski in Australia, keep in mind that many of the resorts are located within national parks and require a daily entrance fee. Access to many resorts is restricted by the requirement of chains and 4WD vehicles.

Australia's ski slopes and snowpack are not up to par with its bubbly après-ski vibe. What are you waiting to do? Check out our list of top ski resorts in Australia and get ready to hit the slopes.

1. Perisher Kosciuszko National Park (NSW)

Perisher, located about six hours from Sydney is one of Australia's most popular ski resorts. It is a bustling place during peak season. Perisher is now owned by Vail Resorts and includes four interconnected ski resorts: Blue Cow (Smiggin Holes), Guthega (Perisher), which skiers can access using one pass.

Perisher Ski Resort snow conditions are generally reliable. Skiers love the 3,076 acres of terrain and high peaks. Seven peaks make up the resort, with Mount Perisher at 2,054m and Mt. Piper is a great place to start skiers.

Ski-hounds will be pleased to learn that Perisher is included in the Epic Australia Pass. This also grants skiers access at other Vail Resorts around Australia.

Perisher offers five terrain parks including a superpipe and 47 lifts that will take you to your favorite slope. The highest chairlift in Australia is located here at 2,034 metres.

Cross-country skiers have 100 km of trails that are well-maintained through lush forests of gum trees, where wombats can be seen snuffling in the snow.

Perisher's vast terrain means that ski lodges are often spread out and may be located quite far from the lifts. However, most lodges offer lift transportation.

Perisher prohibits overnight parking. Skiers must park their car in the village and then take the ski tube to the village.

Skitubing on the Skitube Alpine Railway is the best way to get around the icy roads to the resort. This Swiss-designed train takes skiers from Bullock Flats (where you can park your car), to Perisher Resort or Mount Blue Cow.

The lakeside village of Jindabyne, located 30 km from Perisher is an alternative base offering good-value accommodation. You can also choose to ski Perisher or Thredbo.

Official site: https://www.perisher.com.au

2. Falls Creek, Alpine National Park, Victoria

Falls Creek, Alpine National Park, Victoria / Roderick Aime.
The family-run Falls Creek Hotel offers some of the best snow coverings in all of Victoria's ski areas. But that's not all. You will also find a cozy tourist village, well-designed descents and excellent cross-country ski slopes with more than 65 kilometers of trails - in fact, the resort has produced some of Australia's best athletes in the sport.

Falls Creek is one of the best ski resorts in Australia for families and offers an excellent ski school and free toboggan trails for children.

Skiers and snowboarders can go down from 1,114 hectares of skiing activities and practice their stunts in four landscaped parks. The longest descent is about three kilometers.

Falls Creek is also famous as a place for freestyle skiing - many important competitions are held here. In October, the resort is included in the Epic Australia Pass, offering discounted cable car tickets here and at other resorts around the world. Perhaps the most important feature of staying here is the classic Alpine atmosphere of the pedestrian village and excellent restaurant and accommodation options. If conditions permit, the ski-in, ski-out village, like many other huts, is a bonus for those who appreciate quick access.

Falls Creek also offers guided snowmobile tours, and if you are thinking about returning here on two wheels in the summer, there is a first-class mountain bike park here. Along with many other things, it is not surprising that Falls Creek is one of the most popular weekend getaways in Melbourne - it is located about five hours from the Victorian capital.

Official website: https://www.fallscreek.com.au

3. Thredbo Alpine Resort, Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales

About six hours from Sydney, Thredbo offers some of the best vertical slopes and steep declivities of any New South Wales ski resort. Under favourable snowy conditions, the super highway here is the longest descent in Australia - 3.7 kilometers. What if you don't go skiing? Guests can relax in the stylish European-style village.

Skiing in Thredbo offers a wide range of activities. Skiers and snowboarders have access to more than 1,186 hectares of land, including four all-terrain parks with large snowballs. Beginners find a gentle relaxation on the Friday plain.

 

Mid-level skiers, while enjoying the highest part of the terrain, the resort has some of the best options in the entire country skiers, and Slides has access to Australia's highest peak: Mount Kosciuszko in Kosciuszko Express lift.

Visiting, in addition to skiing and snowboarding, you will find many activities in Thredboarding. Children will have a ball at tübing and rodelpark, as well as a free shuttle that will take you to the bustling center of Sydney, home to spas, fashion stores and restaurants, as well as a recreation center with an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a rotsklimwand.

The village also offers many accommodation options, from youth hostels to luxury cottages (although there are very few options for skiing and check-out).

Those who care about the environment will also be happy to know that the main holiday activities of Thredbo are based on renewable energy sources.

One of the mountains located on the Mountain Collective Pass, Sydney offers two days free, followed by a 50% discount on lifts at Jackson Hole, Aspen and international resorts such as Snowmass and Whistler Blackcomb, and is also available on the ICONS Pass.

Thredbo, a beautiful resort on the lake, is about a 30-minute drive away, or Jindabine offers more affordable accommodation and the opportunity to ski on Thredbo or Perisher.

Kiosks with MyThredbo cards appeared at the resort, which first entered service in 2021, allowing you to get your Thredbo ski pass from the village or on Jindabina contactless. In addition, you can choose from a number of new experiences of staying in the mountains. These include sunrise sessions, during which you can watch the first light of day while on the resort's highest point on the ski lift, refuel at Australia's tallest breckie restaurant, and then decamp to the first slopes of the country's longest ski slope.

Official website: https://www.thredbo.com.au

4. Mount Buller, Victoria

Just a three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mount Buller is the easiest ski resort to get to from the city and is a popular choice for day trips from Melbourne. It also offers the largest network of deckchairs among Victorian resorts.

Here, 741 hectares of skiable land, including 22 cable cars, three parking areas and a ski slope, are accessible to skiers and snowboarders.

About 35 percent of the trails are suitable for more experienced skiers, and the longest trail is about three kilometers. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts can go more than nine kilometers on the tracks. 

The village offers a lively pre-ski scene, with many restaurants, as well as some ski resorts, such as Mansfield Ski Resort. No wonder he can be especially busy on weekends. To get to the village, you need to park about 1.5 kilometers away and get a free shuttle service. Spas and shops offer alternatives for those who do not ski, while two toboggan parks do not allow young children to get bored. 

Mount Buller recently joined Berg's collective and is now based at the popular Icon Parade.

Official website: http://www.mtbuller.com.au

5. Mount Hotham, Australian Alps National Park, Victoria

Mount Hotham is often the best choice in Australia for advanced and experienced skiers. Approximately 4.5 hours from Melbourne, some of the steepest slopes of all Australian resorts and the highest percentages of onshore trails are located here.

Up to 1,861 metres, it is also a more natural snow than other Victorian resorts and is also known as the "dust capital of Australia", but keep in mind that this is a relative term.

Forest clearings and parachutes belong to 791 acres suitable for skiing, and three terrain parks offer private stunt space. The backcountry options here are also pretty good with skiing for faster access. In the 2021 season, the resort expanded snow balls, resulting in even more snow cover.

Despite its reputation as a hotspot for advanced skiers, beginners and advanced levels will find enough trails to keep them away,pressure and Hotham Mountain are located in the Epic Australian Gorge, along with Creek Falls and Perisher. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts can explore 35 kilometers of well-groomed trails.

Unlike other Australian resorts, the village of Mount Hotham is located on the tops of the mountain above the tree line, and most of the slopes descend from the village.

Thanks to this high altitude (1,750 meters), beautiful views of the village are offered, but a large alpine road passes directly through the center of the resort. Hotels and restaurants are deconstructed on both sides of this main road, and a free shuttle service is provided between the ski resorts and the hotels.

Those who do not ski have a lot of options here, such as dog sledding, daytime bathing, snowmobiling and sledding.

Like most resorts, Hotham offers excellent childcare programs, but the children's ski resort is located at a reasonable distance from the main ski slopes. For easy access to the resort, you can fly to a nearby place, the airport is located about 20 kilometers from the ski slopes.

The charming Alpine village of Dinner Plain, just 10 kilometers from Hotham, is a great starting point for skiing in Hotham and offers many accommodation options and family-friendly amenities.

Official website: https://www.mthotham.com.au

6. Charlotte Pass, Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales

Located at an altitude of 1,765 meters, Charlotte Pass is the highest and oldest ski resort in Australia. In winter, the resort can be reached by a snowball from the Perischer Valley, which is only about eight kilometers away, but reliable snow is an important tourist map.

The resort is located in a large open container and has excellent trails for beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Experienced skiers can explore the inland regions of the country and climb some steep slopes.

The bonus here is the amazing views of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia. In fact, the resort is called after Charlotte Adams, she is the first European woman to climb Mount Kosciuszko in 1881. Freelance stylists can hone their skills in the landscape park, and children will love the playground.

Kosciuszko Chalet was built in 1930 and serves as a nice place to stay here.
It offers access to ski slopes and ski slopes, if conditions permit.

Official website: https://www.charlottepass.com.au

7. Baw Baw Mountain Resort, Baw Baw National Park, Victoria Baw Baw

Mount Baw Baw is the nearest ski resort to Melbourne (only 120 kilometers away) and offers some of the best ski trails in Australia for beginners and advanced levels. The resort is dominated by gently sloping slopes covered with gum trees, and this resort is also a favorite vacation spot for families, thanks to three snowy playgrounds.

Skiers and snowboarders can cut through the snow, on a 30-hectare ski area with six ski lifts and a landscaped park, there are special areas for freelancers. Cross-country skiers can ski on snowy gums on 10-kilometer tracks, while sledding and dog sledding are other popular activities.

The resort offers a variety of accommodation options, including ski resorts (if conditions permit), ski rental, ski school and various restaurants.

Accommodation: where to stay near Baw Baw Mountain.

Official website: https://mountbawbaw.com.au

8. Selwyn Snow Resort, Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales

Family-run and operated, Selwyn Snowfields is an excellent choice for beginners to increase their confidence on gentle slopes. The property is a two-hour drive from Canberra.

Zoom in on tube and toboggan trails in the mini-terrain park, as well as for freestyle, her favourite activities are here, along with skiing and snowboarding lessons.

Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will appreciate the 45-kilometer northern course. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Adaminabi, Old Adaminabi and the Fishers rİch area.

Please note that the Selwyn Snow Resort is currently closed due to large-scale renovation works after damage from forest fires. This includes the upgrading of elevators and structures, as well as the expansion of snowballs. It will open again in 2022 for the winter season.

Official website: https://www.selwynsnow.com.au

9. Dinner Plain, Mount Victoria

Dinner on the plain is a great option not only for novice skiers, but also for families who want a good ski base. Hotham is 10 kilometers from here. In this charming alpine village there are two small ski slopes, which are perfect for children to improve their skills, and they can be relatively protected from icy winds, on the slopes of Hotham.

Children can also take a walk in the Snow Park and take a look at Australia's longest toboggan run.

The rustic elegance of the city reminds of its rich history as a pasture for livestock breeders - the buildings use a large number of natural stones and wood. The main plus here is that the dining room is located outside the National Park, and therefore there is no accommodation fee.

However, if you go to Hotham every day, you will still have to pay for daily access to the gate of the resort. From here, you can use the shuttle service on the 10-km cross-country ski trail to Mount Hotham or rent a car without paying for parking.

Another advantage of staying in this picturesque small town is that you can usually go to the gates of your home instead of dragging your travel bags through the snow.

The housing mostly consists of independent apartments, cottages and chalets, which are great for families and large groups. In addition, there are several wonderful restaurants here. In addition, a simple dinner is suitable for dogs!

Official website: https://www.visitdinnerplain.com.au

10. Ben Lomond Alpin Resort, Ben Lomond National Park, Tasmania

Ben Lomond Alpin Resort is the only ski resort in Tasmania reachable by car, about 1-hour drive from Launceston. With seven lifts, it is a great place for beginners and advanced skiers who want to avoid the long cable cars that are often encountered at resorts in New South Wales and Victoria.

To get to the resort, which is located at an altitude of 1,453 meters, you will have to overcome the two-lane Jacobs-LADDERS detour, which is full of slides. But it's worth it because of the breathtaking views.

There are snow playgrounds for children, as well as cross-country ski areas. You can rent skis at the local ski shop.

Accommodation options at Ben Lomond are limited, but you can stay in Launceston, which is about 47 km away.

For more information visit the website.
Official website: https://www.benlomondskilifts.com.au/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Poglianich          

Content Strategist

Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the ski and snowboard space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.